The first strange dream had been about Adrian appearing like a knight in shining armor and saving her from being trampled down by a huge mountain which was collapsing due to an earthquake. She’d come to think of it as Adrian saving her from being homeless and penniless. She couldn’t seem to know what to make of this second dream about him… She had a lot on her mind and this morning, she couldn’t even bring herself to act normal in front of Adrian without him noticing that something was wrong with her so she preferred to stay away from him – well until she’d feel okay to be around him. After forcing a few bites of the sandwich Adrian had made for her down her throat, she discarded the rest in the dustbin, her hunger satiated from the moment she’s read his message on that note. Gulping down the orange juice, she turned the TV on to watch and even though there was nothing interesting to watch, she stayed put. She’d do anything to get her mind off Adrian and make her forget even seeing
“Do you want me to stay with you?” Ivan proposed… once again. “No, no. You can go.” Liz swallowed. “I’m just…” she pointed in the direction of the café. “ – going that way. I haven’t had anything yet so...” She gave him another weak smile. “All right… Try and eat something – it might help.” She nodded. “Yes. I will. Yes…” Why was he looking at her like that? As if he cared? As if he was really worried about her? There was no need for that. She wasn’t any of his business. At least she hoped not. If he was back from France to be with her, then – No, don’t even consider it. She chided herself. She glanced down at his fingers still wrapped around her arm before looking back at him. His eyes trailed down as well, looking down at his own hand before he’d met her eyes again. Nothing was left to be said. He simply but reluctantly released her arm. She saw the regret in his eyes, the remorse that consumed him, and the pain of knowing that his decision of having left her when she needed
“Why… what was that about?” The longer Liz stood catching her breath, the angrier she became.“What in God’s name gave you the impression I’d be fine with you assaulting me? Actually no, don’t answer that. I don’t want to know what’s going on in your mind. The answer this time is, and will always be, no. Not only no but hell no. I don’t need you no more. I’ve managed just fine on my own.” Fury made her see red.Knowing it will be pointless waiting for any kind of response from him when he was this drunk, she spun on her heels and started heading back to the café, the only place where she would be safe from this man who she’d once considered her best-friend.A viselike grip locked on her upper arm and hauled her around. Momentum slammed her into Ivan’s body. “You’ve managed just fine on your own? It seems like little miss goody two shoes haven’t been home lately.” He laughed when her eyes widened. “Do your grandpa and grandma know where you’re staying at?”“That’s none of your business
Liz Walters really wanted to call Adrian but she couldn’t do it. She was scared he’d come down on her for making something out of nothing, that he’d sound like her grandpa and ruin what she felt for him, had terrified her. And, if she was totally honest, Ivan had succeeded in planting a kernel of doubt in her heart where Adrian was concerned.The doorbell rang, shaking her from her thoughts.Liz spun around so hard and fast that she bounced her hip off the foot of the bed. “Damn it!” This time the epithet was yelled out loud.Heart in her throat, she wondered who was at the door. If it was Adrian, he wouldn’t have rung the doorbell. What if it was a member of his family? Shit! She didn’t have the courage to deal with any of them right now.She rolled her lips in to stop herself from picking at her fingernails again. She wanted to wait until the doorbell would stop ringing but then, she heard the front door opening and someone walking in.It could be Ben.Liz closed her eyes and forced
In Liz’s experience, men were never honest about who they were and what they wanted.Every single man she’d been involved with in any way, from her contentious relationship with her father to her last romantic relationship, expected her to give up every shred of who she was, while they kept themselves at a safe distance and protected their interests.While she fell under that header for them, all was well and good. The moment their interest waned, she was on her own again. She didn’t want Adrian to be the next one repeating their pattern all over again. Something in her though said that if anyone could be different, it was him.But to give him more after what Ivan had told her about him? Would he… could he be what Ivan was saying about him? What if he lied just to create differences between them both?Adrian seemed to interpret her needs, kissing her gently, passion ready to flash at any moment, but he kept it banked. This kiss was different. This kiss made promises far more personal
“My maternal aunt…” She lied, again. “It’s been ages since I’d last met her so she wants to meet me.”“Okay, where did she ask you to come? I can drop you there.” He offered.“No, it’s okay. It’s at some restaurant near the café Larry dropped me by the other day. He can take me there.” She shook her head to reject his offer. “You said you were hungry. Go, have some dinner.”Adrian shrugged. “Kay.”Larry would usually come by at six o’clock every night to take Ben back home. “I’ll get going. Larry must have reached already.”“I’ll ask him to drop you first and then come back to take Ben.” Adrian followed her down the hallway and to the front doors.After speaking to Larry, Adrian motioned at Liz to get into the car.Liz watched him say a few more words to Larry but she could hear nothing from inside, so, she could only hope that he hadn’t doubted her. She breathed out a sigh of relief when Larry got into the driver seat, leaving Adrian standing in the doorway.“Where should I drop you,
Liz Walters folded her arms across her chest, staying put, not wanting him to get the pleasure of thinking that his closeness and threatening tone of voice would scare her and force her to submit to him. “I think you heard me.”A frown had formed across his forehead. “Don’t you think I deserve a second chance?”Liz shook her head. “Everyone deserves a second chance but… not you!”“Why not…?”“You don’t seem to understand this, Ivan but you know what, not every boy is like you. Some boys understand a girl’s preferences and respect them.” Liz told him, thinking about Adrian.“Really…?” Ivan tilted his head slightly as he raised an inquiring eyebrow at her. “It means there is somebody who cares about your preferences.”“That’s none of your business.” She snapped at him.She was utterly surprised to hear herself right now. She couldn’t believe that it was actually her speaking. She sounded so powerful and resolute. It seemed to her that she was pretty sensitive toward Adrian.“It means th
Liz Walters felt incredibly liberating as she got out of Larry’s car. Once he drove away, she glanced away, toward the night sky, which was lit up by some stars and the illuminating moon. She felt good that she’d been strong enough to confront Ivan on her own.She’d felt positively released, finally being able to say what she thought and felt.But, when she opened the front door, she found the house empty. Adrian was nowhere to be seen and the dinner Ben had made for them, left untouched. Where was Adrian? “Where are you?” she mumbled, glancing at the clock and seeing it was after ten already. Had she been out for so long?Adrian had nothing else to do when he’d got back from work today. He’d told her that he’d be spending time with her. She’d wanted to watch a movie and he’d agreed to watch it with her so they’d had everything planned for tonight.She thought he would be waiting for her, setting everything up for their movie night but she hadn’t expected to find the house empty.Cou
Liz Walters stared at him for a minute. “I believe you, I… was just mad when I learnt that you didn’t care to tell me about that solution you’d come up with,” she managed. “So you’re really here to stay?”“For good… the only travelling I intend to do is to visit my family back home and that too, with you and our babies tagging along with me.”Liz found herself smiling at his words.Adrian has a brother? The thought struck her mind. “Wait, you have a brother?”He met her eyes and then nodded. “Asher is my little brother. He just graduated college and has obtained a high level of knowledge and skill when it comes to business and finance. I believe he’d take good care of the company.”“He definitely will. After all he’s the brother of Adrian Moore.” She said with pride.Adrian slowly shook his head at her. “Don’t be so proud of me. Last time, you said I’d be back in no time after solving that issue with the investors. It took me a week to sort it out. The wait damn near killed me.”“If y
Adrian Moore shoved his hands into his pockets and bounced his shoulders up and down a little. The night was drawing in, so, it was chilly and damp. “I guess I’ll see you guys soon.”Anna smiled at her brother. “I’ll see you. Take good care of my sister-in-law.” She warned him with her eyes narrowed down into slits. “Otherwise…” She left that hanging for her brother to imagine the pretty images by himself.Adrian raised his hands up in surrender. “I get it! There’s no need for you to get so threatening.”“Yeah, I really hope I won’t have to get physical with you the next time I see you. Liz has my number so be careful!” She said with a nonchalant shrug.Adrian simply rolled his eyes at his sister.“This is what I get to deal with every day.” James quietly complained as he gave Adrian a nudge.“Did you say something?” Anna asked James with a murderous glare.James quickly shook his head from side to side. “I said nothing!”“Good! No one wants to hear your ugly voice.” Anna crossed her
Adrian Moore placed his hand on their office door, ready to push it wide open when James held his shoulder to stop him.“Wait! If we walk in like that, it would be a sign of disrespect.” James warned him.“But I want to have this problem solved as soon as possible.” Adrian turned to look at him with an impatient look on his face.“I know but,” James gave him a sympathetic look.Before they could start an argument of their own, the door was swung open from the inside and standing right in front of them, was one of the investors, Mr. Williams.“Excuse me; can I help you with something?” The old man gave him a long, cold unfriendly stare.“Is it really necessary to remind you why we’re here? Well, in case you forgot our meeting yesterday…” Adrian trailed off when James threw him a pointed look.‘What?’ Adrian pursed his lips at him.‘We’re here to solve the issue, not to aggravate the situation.’ James made sure he got his words across his moody and snappy best-friend – the same best-fri
Liz Walters watched as her grandpa nodded his head, a knowing look on his face.She narrowed her eyes a trifle at him and nudge him with her elbow, “Grandpa?”Mr. Walters snapped out of his reverie and turned to look at Liz. “Yes…”“Is there anything you aren’t telling me?” She asked him, her frown deepening.“Actually, I’ve had a talk with Adrian about this matter.” The old man revealed after some hesitation as though he wasn’t so sure whether he should be telling her about this or not. “Grandpa, I told you not to discuss this with him –”He held his right hand up to stop her. “I know but I had to talk to him. And we came up with a solution.” He said calmly and reassuringly.“Solution…? What is it?” She asked as she folded her arms across her chest.He opened his mouth to tell her about it when he decided otherwise. “I think it would be better if Adrian tells you about it himself.”“Why won’t you tell me?” Liz was annoyed and a bit frustrated that her own grandpa was keeping stuffs
Adrian Moore walked through his office, navigating cubicles, stopping here and there to exchange a word of encouragement and sometimes a laugh, with his employees. By now, everyone at the company learnt about the mishap with the investors.Unlike his father, none of his employees blamed him for it. They believed it was entirely the investors’ fault for overreacting.His company, the same company his father had founded on dollar bills and a dream, was on the cusp of a huge deal – the same deal he’d messed up – well those investors messed up because of their weird problem with video conference calls.After securing the rights to develop the resort on Lake Washington in a battle with Dwayne Jameson, an established developer, that had, at times, been brutal, they were waiting for the approval of the environmental engineer’s plan.More importantly, they were waiting for the investors to agree to fund the plan. That was the last thing left to do. If only Adrian hadn’t found out that they wo
Liz Walters’s mood had definitely lifted once Adrian had showed her around his house. “You should be thankful that bitch left.” She mumbled under her breath.“Woah, chill out on the crude words,” Adrian held out a hand at her as though to shush her. “Our babies are listening to you.”Liz simply rolled her eyes at him.“You look exhausted.” His eyebrows furrowed as he studied her face.“Yeah,” she said, her voice low, toneless.“I found the mole at work. It’s the guy from my team who prints our documents and everything. Aaron was supposed to be the most trustworthy person in my department. I gave him the responsibility of taking care of our confidential papers but…” she trailed off, deep in thought.“But you managed to save your first project from getting sabotaged.” He pointed out. “I’ve said this to you before and I’ll say it again. You’re too good at your job to let anyone become an obstruction for you,” he said.Liz’s eyes lit up in admiration and contentment as she smiled at the m
Adrian Moore stood up in surprise. He didn’t want to ignore Liz but he was too shocked to say anything. “What are you doing in my house? How did you get inside?” He asked the woman who’d frozen in place like a deer caught in headlights.“She’s at your place? What is she doing over there, Adrian?” Liz questioned him, sounding suspicious all of a sudden and… hurt.Fuck no!He was torn in between questioning Jocelyn and answering Liz’s questions. What the fuck did he get himself caught into?“Wait a second, Liz.” Adrian held out a finger as he looked at Jocelyn, seemingly troubled.“What is she doing at your place, Adrian?” Liz demanded.“Baby, listen to me,” he turned his back on Jocelyn to have some privacy. “Do you trust me?”“Adrian –”“Liz, do you trust me?” He asked with more urgency.There was a moment of silence before Liz whispered, “Yes, I do.”“Let me handle this thing,” he said disdainfully as he threw Jocelyn a disgusted look. “– then, I’ll call you back.”“Promise…?” Liz as
Adrian Moore sensed rather than saw his father come into his office.He felt a tension, a kind of palpability, as he heard the door close quietly beside him and he just knew it was him. He didn’t turn around.He continued swirling his pen around in his fingers as he read through the file he had been reading except that he wasn’t reading it no more.He glanced over briefly to see where his father was and saw him standing right in front of his table, one hand in his pocket while the other one was fisted tightly.“Busy…?” He asked.“Yeah…” He hadn’t intended to sound so gruff, but he knew he had. It wasn’t really because of his father.It was the worrying thoughts running through his mind. He still hasn’t decided on a way to negotiate with those investors and knowing his father, he wouldn’t take long before asking him about it. He wouldn’t be surprised if he jumped straight to the point.His father looked at him, his face filled with suppressed anger. “What have you thought? I need those
Adrian Moore pulled the car right in front of Liz’s house and shut off the engine.He thought it would be best if Liz would stay at her grandparents’ house while he was away. As long as she wasn’t all by herself at their house and staying here with her grandparents, he would be less worried about her and their babies.It was already half past six and he had to catch his flight to New York at exactly eight o’clock.He didn’t think much about having to cover the two hours journey to the airport in one hour and a half. As long as he was able to spend some more time with Liz, he didn’t mind that at all.Turning to his right, he looked at Liz.She was nervously fidgeting with her fingers until he’d had her gazes locked with his. They found themselves staring at one another for a moment.Adrian wished time would stop right there just so he could stay here with her forever but…“I’ll see you soon,” one corner of his mouth fluttered up.“Don’t take too long,” she teased, leaning in to give hi